I started the ATPL's (DL) three weeks ago. I wanted to get an idea, for distance learning, how many hours a day, roughly, you all manage to put in.

It would (and I have been watching the threads here for some time, so forgive the resurgence of the old theme) be interesting to know, through comments, how many hours those that have finished and passed the ATPL's studied weekly/TT.

Thanks for you input.

LF

ps - I intended to make this a poll, to get more response, but it looks like you can't poll here, so please post your comments, thanks

Feneris

30th Jan 2003, 22:28

I'm studying with Bristol full time at home. I average between 2 and 7 hours a day, normally 5 ish. I am however very lazy, and have never ever had the self-discipline to work alone.

Typically with the hefty stuff like Met, Human Perf and stuff without pictures, I average about 3 pages of the folder an hour. I make very comprehensive hand written notes, and only ever work from the folder (not the CD). Typically score 85-90% in the progress tests too!

Hope this helps.

F

luscombe Lover

31st Jan 2003, 11:28

Hiya,

Like Feneris I am doing the Bristol course and studying between 3-6 per day. I have commented before that once I've done four hours my head is in burst bubble mode:confused: and if I do do more than four hours it is to review stuff I hadn't quite got. Magnetism and dip leap to mind:o

I too find I'm getting between 80% - 90% working like this.

Hope this helps...

JamesB

1st Feb 2003, 11:10

Hi,

I am also studying with Britol Ground School..

I beleive the course requirement sets out that one should aim to study a minimum of 15 hrs per week. Unfortunately, however, I work full time :* so my daily schedule is what you could call busy! I roughly study 2 hours per night and catch up the remainder at the weekends, mostly on a Saturday and 'hang over' permitting on the Sunday. So, I sometimes get a full 15 one week and probably 10 the next..

The problem I find.. is winding up the motivation to sit down and study following a hard days work and a big plate of chips n peas.

Apologies for the spelling..

All the ATPL Theory has detached my brain.. I do know in what order my i's and e's should go!!

:eek:

Canada Goose

2nd Feb 2003, 08:35

I was going to raise the same issue as JamesB ......

Question to the first three posters ...... do you work full-time !? I find it hard to believe that people are regularly doing 5-6 hours a day on top of a full work day !? Impressive if you are, but I doubt many can do that. I know I wouldn't be able to !!

Reading stuff like this and other posts about how now is a really bad time for a wannabe and how wannabes should hold off before jumping in, it's rather disheartening ! I mean do I really want ot spend the best part of 12 months studying 5-6 hours a day after work, inducing misery to me and my family only to find out there are no jobs out there !!

Tough one !!!

CG

JamesB

2nd Feb 2003, 09:14

In order to complete the distance learning course in what I would call an acceptable time frame is via striking some kind of balance between work (necessary to pay the bills), study and home life. I know of some people who work part time say 3 days per week, which then leaves them two complete free days. If you're fortunate enough to be able to manage on three days pay then this is a bonus!

The problem is of course, from my prospective, it wouldnt pay the bills or allow me to keep up with the flying, and it certainly wouldn't permit weekend jollies in a C172.

Time for me to visit Mr friendly manager at HSBC I think!

long final

2nd Feb 2003, 11:31

Thanks for the response.

Goose,

One of the reasons for starting the thread was to find out just that. I am lucky enough to be able to have a lot of free time and have been managing around 27 hours a week. I don't have any kids and the girlfriend is very understanding. My only commitments I have are a dog, an hours run a day and maybe an hour or two work, but I have still found getting 6 hours in pretty taxing.

My social life is my work, and confined to weekends at the minute, so I don't study then.

It must be very difficult to hold down a full time job and family and get the required time in.

Oh yes, and as James says, the flying is basically off for the next year. Thatís going to be my biggest hardship :(

Better get back to gyro's - joy ;)

LF

WheresTheRunway

2nd Feb 2003, 14:14

Gents
Nice to see so many of you studying with Bristol Groundschool. Just finished with them last year. Passed all first time except 74% in nav on the first attempt.
I used to put in about 36 hours per week as I work shifts on a 4 on 4 off shift pattern. Don't get yourselvs too tied up in how long you spend per week. You need to put in as much as you possibly can obviously, but too much will not get you any further because you will be too tired to absorb.
Just get through the syllabus and fire yourselves off to Bristol, the brush up courses are really good at getting you up to speed for the exams. Now theres two weeks where you won't sleep with the amount of cramming you need to do.
On the bright side, now its all finished the relief is immense, and now all the flying training can commense. Believe me, it is worth it once its all finished. Keep plugging at it and all the best to all of you.
WTR:rolleyes: